Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Rochester, MN: $58,816 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Rochester, MN earns a median $58,816/year (≈ $28.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $64,760 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.0% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinary technologists and technicians in Rochester, Minnesota, can expect a median annual salary of $58,816, which is significantly higher than the national median of $49,986. This competitive earning potential reflects the city’s alignment with the pay-scale systems of corporate veterinary chains like VCA and BluePearl. The salary range in Rochester spans from $43,772 at the 10th percentile to $78,323 at the 90th percentile, providing ample opportunity for advancement. These figures result from comprehensive surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and showcase the market's stability in a region where the demand for skilled veterinary personnel continues to grow.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,772 | $21.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,123 | $24.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,816 | $28.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,042 | $29.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,323 | $37.65 |
Median Salary Position
17.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, MN, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,551 (2026 est.). At $58,816, the local median is 17.66% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Rochester median: $58,816/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $51,145 | +15.00% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | +17.66% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Rochester, MN earn a median of $58,816 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.66% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 15.00% above the Minnesota state average of $51,145.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 9.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, MN has a cost-of-living index of 90.821 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $58,816 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,760 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,520
2025 BLS Actual
$55,750
2026 Current Est.
$58,816
2019–2027 Growth
+74.7%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,816 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,051 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 57.0% from $35,520 (2019) to $55,750 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,051 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,531 (74.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $43,772 – $50,123 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,123 – $58,816 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,816 – $61,042 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,042 – $78,323 |
Vet Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinary technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Job Market in Rochester
Currently, Rochester employs approximately 140 veterinary technologists and technicians, indicating a robust job market. With a cost-of-living index of 90.821, the region presents a favorable economic environment where salaries stretch further compared to national averages. Among various employers, corporate chains often have the highest pay scales, yet specialty hospitals focusing on surgery and emergency critical care may also offer lucrative compensation packages. The substantial wage variance is driven by factors such as advanced certifications, including VTS specialties, and the structure of corporate pay tiers, which can heavily influence earning potential. Employing strategies like pursuing specialty credentials or seeking roles in high-demand areas of veterinary medicine can be key to maximizing one's veterinary technologist and technician pay in Rochester, MN.
More salary data for Rochester, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Rochester?
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Written by Jordan Lee, CVT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in veterinary technology. They specialize in emergency care. Jordan has worked in both clinic and hospital settings.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $55,750 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Rochester metropolitan area. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinary technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2056).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CVT, a licensed veterinary technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov